Question

Determine the specific heat capacity of an unknown substance if a 47.5 g block of the substance at 78.9°C is placed in water and the final temperature of the block drops to 23.6°C. There were 100 J of heat added.

Answer 1

The specific heat capacity of the unknown substance is approximately 0.390 J/g °C.

Step-by-step explanation:

The specific heat capacity of the unknown substance can be determined using the formula:

q = mcΔT

Where:

• q is the heat added (in this case, 100 J)
• m is the mass of the substance (47.5 g)
• c is the specific heat capacity of the substance (unknown)
• ΔT is the change in temperature (final temperature - initial temperature)

Substituting the given values into the formula, we have:

100 J = (47.5 g)(c)(23.6°C - 78.9°C)

Solving for c:

c = 100 J / [(47.5 g)(-55.3°C)]

c ≈ 0.390 J/g °C

Therefore, the specific heat capacity of the unknown substance is approximately 0.390 J/g °C.